Aaaaaaaaand I'm back! I hope you all had a blessed festive season and that you came back from holiday recharged and ready for 2015.
My Christmas holiday was very relaxing and I think it was just what the doctor ordered. The weather in Cape Town was lovely and we did a lot of outdoorsy things. I came back recharged and (kind of) ready for the new year. As mentioned in my last post of 2014, the beginning of this year is going to be tough for me, so I am glad for the bit of relaxation.
For my first post of 2015 I thought it would be nice to look back on the year that was in terms of beauty products and makeup. I love reading posts or watching videos where my favourite beauty bloggers take me through their makeup and beauty product favourites of the past year. I always make lists throughout and end up with a nice big shopping list, oops!
After reading All Dolled Up's alternative way of going about this yearly ritual, I thought I would follow suit. Instead of having set categories that sound like an Oscar ceremony ("And the Oscar for best nighttime cleanser goes to…"), they made a list of their Top 10 discoveries of 2014. My list is a bit longer than ten, so let's get started, shall we?
The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydration Serum
As far as serums go this might not be the best quality as far as ingredients go, but as far as affordability and travel friendliness, it's a winner in my book. I am almost finished with my third bottle and will continue purchasing this.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar water
This is the makeup remover of all makeup removers. No wonder the whole beauty world raves about it! It feels like you're applying water to your skin with a cotton pad, but it takes off all your makeup, even stubborn waterproof mascara! It doesn't sting my eyes and is sometimes used on its own on nights when all I want to do is flop down into my bed.
Optiphi Classic Hydra-derm HA masque
I have used a couple of sink-in moisture masks the past year and this one is my favourite. It's rich and creamy without being thick and greasy and it sinks into the skin beautifully.
Konjac sponge
This nifty little sponge is made of vegetable fibres and grows bigger when you put it in water. It can be used with or without cleanser to remove dirt and grime from your face, giving your skin a massage in the process. After using it you rinse it, squeeze out the excess water, and hang it up to dry. I love using this in the mornings with a gel cleanser.Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel
I have raved about this numerous times and not without reason. It is hands down the best cleanser I have used this past year, done. It's good for both a morning cleanse and a night time cleanse, but I prefer using it at night with a hot cloth.
Clarins Multi-active day cream
It's an expensive day cream, but it is worth every cent. It's rich and creamy without being greasy and is very hydrating and easy on the skin.
Lipidol facial cleansing oil
This bottle costs a grand total of R80 at Clicks and removes makeup (even waterproof mascara) effortlessly. I love using this at night with a hot cloth as a first cleanse. I've finished my first bottle and will definitely be repurchasing.
Pureology Hydrate shampoo + conditioner
My favourite shampoo/conditioner discovery of the year. It's sulphate-free but still foams up nicely and contains lots of good stuff for your hair while leaving it clean and healthy. It really has done wonders for my hair and I will continue repurchasing it.
Kérastase Elixir K Ultime
I apply this oil to the lengths and ends of my hair after blowdrying it about 80% dry. After applying it I continue blowdrying my hair and it leaves my hair soft, silky, and shiny. It protects the hair against split ends and makes it impossibly glossy and smelling lovely.
Invisibobble
My beauty "gadget" of the year is the Invisibobble. I have long hair and I tie/untie/tie it about a hundred times a day. This nifty little bobble doesn't break your hair, nor does it leave that dreaded kink. It also doesn't snap nearly as quick as normal "rekkies" and in the 10 months I have used them I've only snapped two. I have Invisibobbles everywhere so that I'm never without it. In fact, I have one permanently attached to my wrist if it's not in my hair!
Stila CC cream
This is my favourite CC cream of the year. It comes out of the tube grey, but adapts to your skin tone as soon as it comes into contact with it. It covers red areas (which I struggle with), and on good skin days and holidays you can wear it on its own. It buffs in nicely and doesn't settle into pores.
Garnier Pure Active BB cream in "Light"
On the BB end of the scale I have always been a fan of Garnier. Each BB cream they launch feels like it's better than the last. The Pure Active BB Cream is targeted at us oily-skinned gals and contains 2% salicylic acid to keep blemishes and spots at bay. It smells fresh and clean and buffs into the skin beautifully.
Smashbox Brow Tech To Go in "Taupe"
I have always been scared to death of doing my eyebrows for fear that I will end up looking like Frida Kahlo. The Smashbox pen-style applicator makes doing your eyebrows as easy as colouring in. The one end is a twist-up slanted pencil that is not too buttery and not too hard, and the other end has a tiny spoolie and brow gel. Genius!
Urban Decay Naked I eyeshadow palette
My favourite eyeshadow palette of the year, and also the one product on the list not available in South Africa, is the Urban Decay Naked I palette. Rarely have I come across such buttery and pigmented eyeshadows. The colour selection is exquisite and it comes with a good double-ended brush and eyeshadow primer potion samples. Definitely worth the splurge.
Catrice Prime and Fine pressed powder
This has become my holy grail powder. I've been a fan of the Essence All About Matt loose powder, but after them seemingly discontinuing it, I turned to the Catrice pressed powder. This is the first pressed powder that I've gotten on with. The compact is sturdy with a big mirror, and the powder is super soft and fine. All that for under R80...
Sigma E25 blending brush
I don't have a Mac 217 brush to compare it with, but I do love this E25 brush. It's just the perfect brush for blending eyeshadow and I'm considering getting a spare one.
Real Techniques Buffing brush
This is probably my most used brush of the year. It's excellent for pretty much any type of foundation or BB/CC cream. It buffs the product into the skin with no unsightly lines or streaks.
Essie in "Splash of grenadine"
I fell head over heels for this nail polish shade. It's a blue-toned medium pink/purple and looks amazing on both nails and toenails, tanned or pale skin.
What were your favourites of 2014? Let my know in the comments section!
Until next time!
Hildegarde
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